The Element Mortgage Blog
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Millennials putting home ownership before marriage
There was once a time when it was thought that millennials would be one of the more hesitant generations to enter home ownership. Well, based on a recent Harris Poll, millennials are actually prioritizing home ownership over marriage. The study surveyed over 2,000...
16 percent of U.S. homeowners expected to sell their home within 18 months
If you are looking to purchase a home in Roseville, get ready, because a new study says that millions of homeowners across the country expect to sell their house sometime within the next two years. Specifically, the study states that more than 12 million American...
New authentic Italian pizza shop coming to Roseville
Roseville is already full of wonderful dining options, and a new one is on its way. For those who appreciate an authentic Italian pizza, Flour Dust Pizza is set to open its first physical location at 5080 Foothills Boulevard, according to The Sacramento Bee. It is the...
5 questions to ask yourself before refinancing
If you think you are ready to restructure your mortgage, there are some things you should consider. Refinancing can change your financial picture quite a bit and every home owner's situation is different, so there is no blanket way to say when you should or should not...
Economists predict lower fixed-rate averages for the year
According to the April economic forecast from Freddie Mac, now may be a good time to purchase real estate because of where rates are headed. Specifically, the report states that 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages and 30-year fixed rate mortgage estimates were decreased...
New wine lounge on its way to Roseville
Roseville is full of good places to eat and get drinks, and a new establishment is on its way. The Platinum Wine Lounge will be located on 9050 Fairway Drive, Suite 105, according to the Sacramento Business Journal. The Platinum Wine Lounge claims they "search high...
More than 50 percent of Generation Z wants to buy a home within 5 years
Generation Z – those born roughly between 1995 and 2010 – will soon be entering the home-buying phase of their lives. Just like the millennials before them, they have their unique traits and preferences that are part of the way they were raised and the world around...
Roseville named a top city in terms of safety
There are many reasons why people choose to call Roseville home – the great schools, parks, dining options and employment opportunities are just some. Make sure you add safety to the list. A recent study found that Roseville is considered one of the safest cities in...
A home loan program fit for someone who is self-employed
The modern workplace is changing. More people are self-employed and working from home these days. This entrepreneurial spirit should be celebrated as it is what the American dream is all about. Home ownership is also a part of the American dream, and if you work for...
Three reasons why purchasing a home can be a wise financial decision
Buying a home is something most Americans hope they can accomplish at some point in their lives. It is, after all, part of the American Dream. Aside from benefits such as having a place to raise a family and to provide a sense of security, owning a home, especially in...
New authentic Italian restaurant opens in Roseville
A new Italian restaurant that serves up authentic pasta and wine with a full-service bar has opened in Roseville. Trattoria Da Gino, which serves classics like Spaghetti Carbonara, Linguine Vongole, Penne Salmone and Rigatoni Bolognese, recently opened its doors at...
What you should know about making biweekly mortgage payments
Once you purchase a home, you may be thinking to yourself: How can I pay off my loan quicker? One strategy for doing this is making payments every other week instead of monthly (half of your monthly mortgage payment twice a month). Ideally, this would help you pay off...
Three common misconceptions about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
If you’re looking to purchase real estate in the Roseville area, chances are you are overwhelmed with all of the steps and research that is in front of you. That is why it is important to partner with a mortgage company that is going to thoroughly explain the process...
Details on the new Roseville event and sports complex
Adding to the recreational opportunities available in the Roseville area, a new sports and event complex is currently under construction at the Placer County Fairgrounds. Here are some of the details/potential of the new facility, according to The Sacramento Bee: It...
Roseville sandwich shop makes Yelp list of top places to eat in U.S.
Yelp has released its list of the Top 100 places to eat in the country and a Roseville establishment made the cut! Guy's For Lunch, which ranked 99, serves up premium sandwiches, soups, salads and homemade cookies. The lineup of sandwiches includes an Italian...
Fort Collins named as a top-10 performing city in the U.S.
Fort Collins has been named one of the best-performing cities in the U.S. This, according to the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities U.S. index, which measures metro areas across the country that offer opportunities for their residents to prosper. Fort Collins...
Home applications increase as interest rates decrease
Home purchases are on the rise as home loan application volume recently ticked up and interested rates decreased. This is according to recent information from the Mortgage Bankers Association. Specifically, a survey that covered a period ending on May 3, found that...
Millennials are beginning to save more for a down payment on a home
A new report states that 72 percent of millennial homebuyers are saving right out of their paychecks for a home purchase, which is an increase from 2018 when that number was 69 percent. The survey included responses from over 500 people in the millennial age range....
New indoor miniature golf course on its way to Fort Collins
Fort Collins is full of fun things for families to do, and another wonderful option for weekend entertainment is on its way. Old Town Putt, an indoor miniature golf course that also serves drinks, is opening in The Exchange district at 244 N. College Ave., according...
Low down payment? That may not be a roadblock to becoming a home owner
Some first-time home buyers in the Fort Collins area may think homeownership is out of reach because of the down payment requirements. That isn't always the case though thanks to specialty loan programs such as FHA Loans. This is a loan program created specifically...
Two ways to speed up the closing process on a home loan
Denver is one of the most attractive markets in the U.S., so there may be a lot of competition when placing an offer on a home. For buyers, there are ways to make their offer stand out. Some of the ways include being pre-qualified and backed by a reputable lender....
What do I do?
What do I do as a Loan Consultant on Kauai? Well, I spend the majority of my days speaking at realtor events, sponsoring activities, attending open houses with realtor partners, meeting with clients, attending realtor caravans, and getting to know people in between!...
And the journey begins!
Aloha! I will use this as another way to tell you about the different loan products we have to offer at Element, what’s going on in the mortgage industry, Hawaii/Texas real estate, and anything else going on in my life that is relevant If you have any mortgage...
5 little-known things about VA Loans in Hawaii
VA Loans are a powerful tool for Hawaii Veterans because they are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans and they extend lenient qualifying requirements. Some of those benefits include 100 percent financing* and no mortgage insurance requirement. These are some of...
Prospective homebuyers believe it will be easier to purchase a home in coming months
Those who are considering purchasing a home in Oahu and have been waiting for the ideal time, that time may be on the horizon. According to the National Association of Home Builders' Housing Trends Report, those planning to purchase a house in the near future expect...
Kailua Beach named the best beach in the U.S.
Kailua Beach Park is located on the east shoreline of Oahu and those who have been there know the waters are as blue as can be and the sand is soft and powdery. These are just two of many reasons why this beautiful location has been named the Best Beach in America....
VA Loans close just as quickly as other loan programs
Sellers often get picky when they have more than one offer on their home. There are various factors that come into play in terms of which offer is the highest, but also which offer comes with the backing of a lender and loan that won't have issues during the closing...
Getting pre-approved for a VA Loan after you receive your PCS orders for Hawaii
If you are in the military and recently received your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to Hawaii, first of all, thank you for your service, and second of all, congrats! You are about to live and work on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. This also...
5 benefits of VA Loans for Hawaii Veterans
VA Loans can be a powerful tool for Hawaii Veterans when it comes to purchasing real estate. That is because they offer lenient qualification guidelines for active duty, Veterans and surviving spouses. At Element Mortgage, we have great respect for our nation's...
Three questions to ask your loan officer about VA Loans in Hawaii
VA Loans are a powerful tool and benefit that is extended to our nation's Veterans. These loans, which are backed by the US. Department of Veterans Affairs, offer 100 percent financing*, and come with no mortgage insurance requirement. Because of this, many Hawaii...
How to qualify for a VA Loan in Oahu
At Element Mortgage, we are extremely grateful for the service of our Veterans, which is why we provide a home loan program designed to show them the gratitude they deserve. VA Loans help Veterans, active duty and surviving spouses obtain a home loan with more lenient...
5 Common Myths about VA Loans
At Element Mortgage, we care about our nation's Veterans. That is why we offer a loan program that offers Veterans the opportunity to participate in a program that features more lenient qualifying guidelines than other home loan programs. VA Loans offer active duty,...
Honolulu ranked as one of the hardest working cities in the U.S.
If you thought Honolulu was a place where people relax and just casually go about their days, think again. A new study is showing that Honolulu is one of the hardest-working cities in the U.S. Specifically, it ranked 17th on a list of 116 cities in the country, right...
3 things home buyers can do to help ensure a swift buying process
Once you submit an offer on your Honolulu home, the transaction process kicks in and there are many moving parts and updates to consider. From the time a contract is entered to closing can range anywhere from 18 and 30 days, and all parties involved will be...
Honolulu makes top 5 on Yelp’s top foodies list
If you need another reason to consider Honolulu one of the top destinations in the world, add the food to the list. According to Yelp, Honolulu is the No. 3 best location for foodies in the U.S. To come to this conclusion, Yelp analyzed new restaurants, including the...
Three things you should be aware of in the first year in your home
You made it through the house hunting and home loan process and you are finally enjoying your Honolulu home. Now that the move is over and you are settled and back into a regular routine, there are some things you should still consider moving forward. Supplemental...
Buyers are getting into less bidding wars over real estate property
Over the last several years, we have heard how inventory was forcing home buyers into bidding wars over properties they were interested in purchasing. That trend may be subsiding slightly as the market shifts. According to a recent report, in March just 16 percent of...
Report states appraisals are coming in lower than what home owners are expecting
A new national report is stating that homeowners are anticipating higher appraisal values than they are getting. The report states that this could be related to decreasing home prices and a widening difference between estimates and true values. Specifically, across...
Low rate of mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures signal strong real estate market
Now is a good time to be a homeowner in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas. That is because the level of mortgage delinquencies and foreclosures are at some of the lowest levels we have seen in recent years. A new study from CoreLogic determined that across the U.S.,...
Three ways to lower your mortgage payment
Now that you are a homeowner, you may be thinking to yourself how you could reduce your monthly payment if you needed to in the future. There are a variety of reasons you could want to decrease what you pay every month on your home loan, whether it is a job change,...
5 ways to save for a down payment on a home
A down payment is what many homeowners consider to be a big barrier to home ownership. Generally, a down payment for a home loan ranges from 3 percent to 20 percent* depending on various factors. So, where does one in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas start? Saving!...
The key steps to the home-buying process
If you are ready to purchase your first home in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma area, it may be exciting, but it could also lead to a little bit of apprehension. The process can seem pretty daunting – we get it! It is important to know where to start and the steps you will...
4 things that could be red flags about a house
The home buying process can be exciting, and it also can be a little nerve-racking. It is important to do your due diligence in your preparation and all the way through the close of the transaction. This includes checking your credit score, budgeting, getting...
5 things that make up your credit score
Your credit score plays a big part in getting a home loan. Many home buyers are unsure about what actually makes up their credit score though. At Element Mortgage, we make educating our clients a priority because we believe that the more educated they are, the better...
How renovation home loans work
When you purchase real estate, the home may not be in the exact shape that you prefer. In these instances, you may choose to remodel. Funding that renovation could seem daunting, but a renovation home loan can provide some relief. A renovation home loan can assist a...
Common misconceptions about the VA Loan program
Are you a Veteran, servicemember or surviving spouse living in Seattle? Would you like to purchase a home or refinance in 2019 to help set up your financial goals for the future? Then a VA Loan might be a good option for you. VA Loans are insured by the U.S....
Five questions you should ask yourself to help determine your loan program
Deciding to purchase a home is a big decision. There is a lot that goes into it other than which Seattle-area neighborhood you want to live in, your commute and one-story v. two-story – it is a big financial decision. There are a variety of loan programs to choose...
Loan program helps Seattle buyers purchase higher-priced real estate
If you are looking to purchase a higher-priced home in the Seattle area, but think it is out of the question, there may be a loan program for you. Our exclusive Jumbo Solutions Loan Program helps homebuyers obtain a down payment on a high-priced property while staying...
Three reasons why locking in your rate is important
While many consumers may want to jump right into looking at listings when thinking about shopping for a new home, the more financially prudent option is to begin with getting approved for a loan. By beginning the home purchase experience with getting a loan, a home...